Match Day Thread Pre-season

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jonnybaws said:
Indeed, if you're good enough, you're old enough!
Granted.. its Pre-season, teams haven't been that tough.. but I like what I've seen so far from the lad!
Can has the attributes and can and should play as the base of the Diamond, if that's our chosen formation to start the season with..
Until Sturridge is fit, I'd start with...

------------- Ming
Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno
-------------- Can
---- Milner ------- Henderson
------------- Coutinho
---------- Firmino
---------------- Benteke
Bench from the likes of Gomez, Lovern, Ings, Origi, Lucas, Ibe, Lalana, Allen..
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Coutinho behind Firmino who is behind Benteke, we playing the conga formation?! <yikes>
 
If we go 433 the Coutinho and Firmino should be given a license to roam free when attacking.

If we go two up top then there are decisions to be made. Firmino up top alongside Benteke? Coutinho in the midfield three? IfNeither, Coutinho or Firmino as No.10
 
Yes we Emre Can said:
Looking at the replay of the Ings goal, it is the sort of goal we were sorely missing last season - with an attacker bursting past the defensive line and scoring. We had it for those 2 games Sturridge was not injured and unfit.
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Yeah, nice to see someone running behind the defence. Sturridge does, Ings & Origi can do it.
 
Magic said:
The big question/dilemma for BR now is does he play two up top or Benteke/Sturridge as a lone striker?

My own personal opinion is that Benteke has been brought in as a partner for Sturridge. I honestly think that we get the best out of our team and players when we have two up front. Sturridge can lead the line but Benteke would be far too static, and would end up dropping deep.

We'll probably aim to put Firmino up with him untill Sturridge is fit, which is a gamble because they'll both be newcomers. Put Coutinho in behind and I think that'll be a potent mix. Milner has been brought in for that extra work horse in midfield to accommodate the more attacking players. Can/Allen/Lucas, Henderson and Milner will operate in behind, high pressing with quick turn over, Clyne/Moreno providing the width.

Sturridge and Benteke has the potential to be devastating, much like Balotelli and Sturridge did.. It has everything as a partnership, Sturridge can stretch the play and run the channels while Benteke can hold up play, drop deep, and most importantly both are great finishers. It remains to be seen whether or not Benteke will press, but I do think BR will be opting for high intensity pressing game, just like he did 13/14.. two up top, Coutinho in behind in the tip of the diamond.
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Sturridge can't play up front on his own. Not his fault, but he's far better with a partner. In the odd game he'll do it but he often gets isolated. Benteke can do it on his own but similarly needs players playing off him.

Could make a good partnership as they offer different things, but until they play you never know.

Sometimes partnerships just click, Yorke/Cole, Torres/Gerrard, Hasselbank/Gudjohnson but sometimes even 2 great players just cant make it work.
 
Gerrez said:
The lion the witch and the wardrobe was re-released in the nineties, might even have been the 2000's FFS <doh>
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<laugh> What a ****ing random link

Just seen him and accurate, but who sees Allen and thinks of the lion witch and wardrobe
 
Benteke cannot play in a 2. He'll be the lone striker and I presume Sturridge will be forced out into a wide position.

We cannot play 4-3-3 because it would be a massive waste of Firmino and Coutinho to be out on the wing.
 
Gerrez said:
Not every player needs to be flexible. Often, flexible players are good (or even very good) in certain areas but rarely specialise in one position. Sometimes you need that specialist.

I wasn't keen on Benteke and he still wouldn't be my preferred choice but I'll admit that the idea is growing on me. Clyne and Moreno can provide the width, Milner has a decent dead ball and in play delivery. Hendo can pick a pace to too. Coutinho will see Benteke's runs. Plus we'll have Ings and Origi as other options making us less predictable than last year.
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If we have these two players providing width, then I fear we'll be exposed at the back and we'll end up conceding another 50 goals this season, unless we bring in a specialist DM.

And what runs? Benteke does not run. He's a lazy player.
 
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